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Bilawal Bhutto condemns crackdown against farmers in Punjab

KARACHI, September 27: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has condemned Punjab Police crackdown against the farmers and peasants in the province in a bid to thwart Kissan Dharna scheduled in Lahore tomorrow.

Reports have started pouring in about Punjab Police highhandedness against the Pakistani Kissan Ittehad, which has planned a Dharna with a symbolic “Janaza of Agriculture” in Lahore on Wednesday in Lahore. “Instead of taking handcuffs, batons and shells to the poor farmers and peasants, the government should heed their demands and grievances and solve the same,” PPP Chairman said in a statement issued here today.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said PPP workers will participate in the peaceful Kissan Dharna in Lahore and warned PML-N government to desist from such acts and made it clear that PPP and people of entire country stand in complete solidarity with the protesting farmers and peasants.

He expressed concern over the reported arrests of 300 peasants in a crackdown in Punjab and demanded immediate release and allowing the growers community to exercise their democratic right to hold peaceful protest.